Duplicating machine



Aug. 17, 1937. F. NlGRA DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1954 6Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

FER mun/v0 NIGRA ATTORNEYS.

6 sheets-sheep? INVENTOR.

FERDINAND NIGRH BY v ATTORNEYS.

F. NlGRA DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1954 Aug. 17, 1937.

R NE non wom Aug. 17, 1937. F. NIGRA DUPLICATII IG MACHINE Filed 0ct.22, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

FERDINAND NIGRA. BY 4 ATTORNEYS.

V R mu #9 Aug. 17, 1937. F. NIGRA DUPLICATING MACHINE 6 Shets-Sheet 4Filed Oct. 22, 1954 Aug. 17, 1937.

F. NIGRA DUPLIGATING MACHINE Filed 0 ct. 22, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. FERDINAND NIGRH A TTORNEYS.

Aug. 17, 1937. F. NIGRA DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed oct. 22, 1954 6Sheets-Sheet 6,

INVENTOR.

FERDINAND NIGRA BY M A TTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 17, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 21 Claims.

1. To provide an improved and positively acting mechanism for advancinga sheet through the mechanism for printing'the same as the cylinderrotates:

2. To provide an automatic means for feedin sheets to the sheetadvancing mechanism, said means including an improved self-levellingfeed table;

3. To provide means for automatically insuring the release of the sheetsfrom the supply stack on the feed table as successive sheets are engagedfor the advancement thereof for printing;

4. To provide a generally improved mechanism for actuating the sheetpropelling mechanism of the machine;

5. To provide a means whereby different areas of a stencil on thecylinder may be independently utilized for printing therefrom, andprinting may be effected on sheets of different lengths and locatedwhere desired on the sheets receiving the printing;

6. To automatically prevent 'an operative disposal of the impressionroller except when a.

sheet is being advanced for the printing there- 7. To provide animproved mounting for an impression roller of a rotary duplicatingmachine.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth or be apparent in thefollowing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and inthe accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a duplicator embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the duplicator. Figure 3 is an enlargedelevation at 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 are upright and longitudinal sections through thecentral portion of the duplicator and at different transverse planes'through the cylinder.

Figure 6 is a section at 6-6 in Figure 1 and through a stack ofimpression sheets on the feed table thereat.

Figures 7 and 8 are perspectiveviews of members shown in Figure 6.

Figures 9 to 14 inclusive are enlarged fragmentary and somewhatdiagrammatic views showing successive relations of operative parts ofthe feed mechanism in a cycle of operations of the machine.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary plan view at |5l5 in Figure 9.

Figure 16 is a longitudinal section through the impression roller andits mounting.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a swinging stop member of the feedmechanism.

Figure 18 is an enlarged fragmentary view at lB-IB in Figure 1, andparticularly shows details of the actuating means for the feedmechani-sm.

Figure 18a is a reverse side view of a portion of the actuatingmechanism shown in Figure 18. Figure 18b is an enlarged fragmentary viewof an element shown in Figure 18.

Figures 19 and 20 show the mechanism of Figwe 18 in different operatingconditions thereof.

Figure 21 is a plan section taken at the plane of the cylinder axis withthe cylinder disposed as in Figure 18.

Figure 22'is a fragmentary plan view of the feed mechanism.

Figure 23 is a fragmentary longitudinal elevation showing a portion ofthe feed table :andthe exterior of a housing for an escapementmechvations showing different operative positions of a stop arm of themechanism.

Figures 29 and 30 are respectively longitudinal section and perspectiveviews of a stop unlit of the receiving tray.

Figure 31 is an elevation showing certain details of a cam arrangementassociated with the stencil cylinder and shown in Figure 18.

Figures 32 to 35 inclusive are reverse-side views of the arrangement ofFigure 81, operative parts being shown in a succession of operativerelations thereof in the different views.

Figures 36 to 38 inclusive are enlarged views of a clutch mechanismshownin Figure 18, the mechanical parts being shown in different operativerelations in the difierent views, and portions of certain elements beingbroken away in Figures 37 and 38.

Figure 39 is a section at 29-49 in Figure 36. Figure .40 is aperspective view of a 'detent assembly of Figure 9.

Figure 41 is a transverse section at 4|-4| in 5 Flgure'40.

Figure 42 is a transverse section taken through the cylinder adjacentone end thereof, areservoir of the cylinder assembly being omitted.

Figure 43 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the showing of Figure 42.

Figure 44 is a longitudinal and partly sectional view of an elementshown in section in Figure 46;

The features of the present invention are incorporated in theillustrated duplicating machine in which a stencil 2 is carried on arotary cylinder 3 for printing engagementwith a sheet of paper or othermaterial for receiving printing. The printing cylinder 3 is supportedfor rotation by and between side frame members 5 and 6 which extendupwardly and in mutual opposition from a rectangular base frame I andreceive the dupli- .cator mechanism between them. Externally thereof,and at its end nearest the frame member 6, a belt pulley 8 is providedfor optional use in effecting a power rotation of the cylinder. A shaft9 is'joumalled in the frame member 5 in parallel relation to therotative axis of the cylinder and is connected with the cylinder throughconstantly engaged gears H and I2 which are respectively provided on itand on the cylinder. At its outer end, the shaft 9 carries a hand crankl3 for use to manually rotate the cylinder through the coaction of thegears H and I2.

As is particularly brought out in the generally diagrammatic showing ofFigures 9 to 14 inclusive, a sheet I4 of print-receiving material whichhas been moved from a feed table |5 to dispose its frontend portionbetween pairs of upper and lower rollers l6 and I1, is thereafterengaged by and between said rollers and is thereby advanced forwardlyfor the disposal-of its front end portion between the stencil on therotary cylinder 3 and an impression roller l8, and is finally grippedThe impression roller I8 is mounted for its free rotation on a shaft l9which is carried by and between corresponding and rearward ends oflever-like members 20 which are intermediately pivoted on a fixedlydisposed rock-shaft, said shaft being journalled in and between theframe members 5 and 6 and being disposed toward the rear or feeding endof the machine with respect to the roller l8.

The forward ends of the lever members 20 are connected by a bar 22, anda tension spring 23 extends generally forwardly from the bar 22 to ananchorage in the frame base I to constantly urge a resilient engagementof the impression roller |8 against the cylinder 3. The extremities ofthe shaft l9 and the bar 22 pivotally engage the ends of the levers 20whereby the generally planar assembly of these members may be distortedtransversely thereof if such is re'quiredto insure an even bearing ofthe impression roller with and along the cylinder. Arms 24 extendrigidly and radially from the shaft 2| for simultaneous engagement withthe bar 22 as a means to rock the levers 2|! to dispose the roller |8out of engagement with the cylinder. An arm 25 extends rigidly from theshaft 2| in angular relation to the arm 24 thereat, and a tenisionspring 26 connects the free end of the arm 24 with an anchorageon thebase 1 whereby the arm 25 is resiliently urged to maintain an engagementthereof with an adjustable stop 21 mounted on-a suitable bracketextending from the frame member 6; it will be understood that 5 the stop21 determines one limit of oscillation of the shaft 2|. 1- I The rollers|6'are mounted on a shaft 28 which is loosely journalled in and'betweenthe upper ends of lever-like members 29 which a e 10 disposed ingenerally upright position and are intermediately pivoted on the shaft2| for rocking independently of the latter shaft. Preferably, and asshown, the upper lever portions are curved rearwardly whereby the shaft28 may be disposed 15 directly above the line of lower feed rollers IIfor cooperation of the pairs of feed rollers to grip a sheet l4 betweenthem. The lower arms of the levers 29 are connected to the side framemembers 5 and 6 by means of tension springs 3| 20 operative in theplanes of movement of the levers whereby the shaft 28 is yieldinglyurged to maintain its engagement with adjustable stops 32 which areprovided on the frame members 5 and 6 respectively and while the rollersI6 are in a 25 limiting lowered position with respect to the axis of therollers I1.

A fixedly disposed shaft 34 carries the rollers l1, and said rollers aresegmental whereby their cylindrical face portions 35 extend through an30 are which is somewhat less than a full circle. The rollers l1 havelike perimeters and are similarly positioned on the shaft 34 wherebythey may simultaneously coact in like manner with the rollers I6 abovethem. V 35 As the rollers I! are rotated, their faces 35 are arranged toengage and grip a sheet 4 between them and the rollers H5 at a line ator adjacent the common plane of the shafts28 and 34. The remaining faceportion of each roller I1 is at 40 less distance from the roller axisthan the faces 35. It will thus be understood that the rollers ll coactwith the rollers it only While their faces 35 are in opposition to saidrollers. Preferably, and as shown, the circles of the faces 35 of the 45roller H are arranged to intersect the circles of the depressed rollersI6 whereby the latter rollers may be pressed upwardly against theresistance of the springs 3| and an equalized and resilient gripping ofthe sheet l4 between the sets of 50 rollers l6 and I! may be assuredwhile the rollers are coactive in the described manner. It will thus beunderstood that the rollers 'I'I are operative as a sheet-feeding meansfor only a part of each rotative. cycle thereof. 55

An elongated plate member 36 is mounted in generally horizontaldisposition and in a plane slightly below the rollers l6, and, as isbrought out in Figure 22, rectangular openings 31 are provided in theplate 36, opposite the segmental roll- 60 ers IT to permit the describedperiodic coaction of the rollers I6 and 11 therethrough. Otherrectangular openings 38 are provided in the plate 36 between and inalignment with the openings 31, and the material at the advance edges of65 these openings is extended upwardly of the plane of the plate at theopenings to provide a straight line of stops 39 against which theadvance edge of a sheet I4 is arranged to abut when the sheet mounted ona cross-bar 40 which is fixedly secured to and between the frame sides 5and 6, and is disposed rearwardly of the shafts 28 and 34. Forwardly ofthe line of steps 39, the plate 36 slopes upwardly, as is particularlyshown, whereby to support and direct the sheet upwardly thereat if suchis needed.

' Means are provided for lifting a front sheet edge out ofengagement'with the line of stops 39 at the proper time in a cycle ofoperations of the cylinder 3 whereby the sheet I4 may then be advancedin the described manner. As particularly shown, a member 42 is hingedlymounted on and beneath the plate member 36, and the member 42 provides aseries of 'fiat fingers 43 which are arranged for swinging into andthrough the various openings 38. One of the fingers 43 is provided witha projection 44 which is arranged to constantly ride on the top of theshaft 34, said shaft being cylindrical thereatexcept for a segmentalnotch 45 provided therein. When the projection 44 engages the bottom ofthe notch 45, the fingers 43 are arranged to be disposed in the openings38 in coplanar relation therewith, whereby they then provide a portionof the support surface for the sheet as it is moved against the stops39; the present disposal of the fingers 43 is shown in Figures 9 to 11.When the projection 44 of a finger 43 rides on the cylindrical part ofthe shaft surface thereat, the fingers 43 are raised to lift the frontportion of the positioned sheet clear of the stops to thereafter permitan advance of the sheet for its printing.

Members 46 are fixedly mounted on the bar 40 adjacent the frame sides 5and 6, and a member 41 is supported by and between the members 46 andabove the plate 36. The member 41 provides a series of fingers 48 whichresiliently register with the lifter fingers 43 or with a sheet l4 whichis disposed over the latter fingers. As shown, in Figure 22, the member41 is pivoted on a fixed shaft 49, and a helical spring 5 is coactivebetween the member and shaft to constantly and resiliently urge thefingers 48 downwardly. It will be understood that the fingers 48 insurea directing of the sheet M to an initial engagement with the stops 39 asthe sheet is inserted between the then spaced rollers l6 and I1; noparts of the cam-like rollers l1 protrude above the plate 36 during thelatter process.

In the present machine, the initial positioning of successive sheets Min engagement with the stops 39 is arranged to be automatically effectedas the cylinder 3 is continuously rotated. As particularly illustrated,rollers 52 are provided for periodically engaging the top sheet l4 of astack of sheets on the feed table l5 and for subsequent rotation toadvance the engaged sheet to and against the stops 39. The rollers 52are fixed on a common shaft 53 which is carried by and between arms 54extending rigidly from a rock-shaft 55 which is journalled in andbetween the frame members 5 and 6, and is parallel to both the feedtable top and the cylinder axis.

To insure a delivery to the machine of but one sheet H at a time forprinting from the stencil, the advance end of the stack of sheets on thetable I5 is engaged with an upright stop post 56 in such manner thatonly the top sheet lies above the top of the post 56 when the rollers 52are actuated, to advance a sheet to the stops 39. When the top sheet hasbeen completely removed from above the stack, the table I5 isautomatically raised to dispose solely the next sheet for removal by therollers 52; this automatic control of the table I5 is hereafterdescribed in detail. Preferably, and as shown, the post 56 is positionedin the longitudinal central line of the sheets of the stack and is fixedto and between the frame cross-bar 40 and a lower cross-bar 51 whichgenerally underlies the bar 40.

By particular reference to Figure 9, it will be noted that a roller 52is there shown in pressure engagement with the top sheet 14 of the stackof sheets on the table IS, the roller I1 is in an inoperative position,the lift finger 43 is depressed tothe plane of the plate 36, a pressurefinger 48 resiliently presses on the finger 43 beneath it, and theimpression roller 18 is spaced from the cylinder 3. The foregoingpositions and relations of the operative parts of the describedsheet-feeding means of the present machine may be convenientlyconsidered as representing the conditions at the beginning of a cycle ofoperations of the present duplicating machine.

As the cylinder 3 is rotated, the rollers 52 are rotated to advance thesheet l4 over the plate 36 and between the cooperating pairs of fingers43 and 48 until it positively engages against the stops 39. Preferably,the feeding rotation of the rollers 52 is continued until the sheet isactually buckled between the rollers and stops in the manner shown inFigure 10; in this manner, a true registration of the forward paper edgewith the line of stops 39 is assured. The rollers 52 are then liftedfrom the sheet l4 whereby the latter may flatten out with its forwardedge retained against the stops 38 by the coaction of the fingers 43 and48; this flattened condition of the sheet following its buckling isshown in Figure 11. cept for a slight shifting of the still inoperativeroller l8 by reason of the engagement of the arms 24 of the rock-shaft2| with the bar 22, the other elements have remained as in Figure 9.

The continued rotation of the cylinder 3 next results in a rotation ofthe shaft 34 to displace the finger 43 of the member 44 which engages itand so lift all of the fingers 43 to raise the front sheet edge abovethe steps 39. As the advance sheet edge is freed, the sheet is engagedand gripped between the rollers l6 and the working faces 35 ofthesegmental rollers I! for thereafter advancing the sheet toward aposition for its printing as the latter rollers are rotated.

-In Figure 12, the rollers I! are shown as they first grip the sheet inthe cooperation with the rollers [6, it being noted that the rollers 18and 52 are now both inoperative.

In Figure 13, the relation of the operative parts is shown as it is whenthe working face 35 of the roller l1 approaches the limit of itscoaction with the roller l6. At this time, the impression roller hasjust been allowed to grip the forward sheet edge between it and thestencil on the cylinder 3 whereby this engagement of the sheet betweenthe roller and cylinder may thereafter and solely operate to carry thesheet forward for its printing. The operative relations are preferablysuch that the sheet is gripped between the cylinder and impressionroller just as its forward edge reaches the plane defined by the axes ofthe cylinder and roller; in this manner, printing may be placed at theextreme top edge of the paper if such is desired.

After the rear end of the sheet has passed beyond the line of coactionof the rollers l6 and [1, as in Figure 14, the rollers 52 are loweredonto the stack of sheets on the table l5, and the rotation of the shaft34 is stopped with the roller H in its initial inoperative position andwith the fingers 43 lowered to the plane of the plate 86. The aforesaidlowering of the rollers 52 is arrangedito actuate suitable mechanism forelevating the table I5 to dispose the then engaged top sheet of thestack for advancement over the top of the post 56. Before the rollersare rotated to advance the new sheet and after the preceding sheet hasbeen delivered from between the cylinder and the impression roller, thelatter roller is disposed out of engagement with the cylinder wherebythe relations of Figure 9 may again exist at the beginning of a newcycle of operations of the printing cylinder 3.

Means are preferably provided for preventing an operative disposition ofthe impression roller I8 unless a sheet I4 is actually on its way forprinting engagement between the stencil on the cylinder and the rollerI8. As particularly il lustrated in Figures 9 to 14 and 17, a swingingstop member 58 is provided for such coaction with the bar 22 of thedescribed rockable mounting for the roller I8 as to prevent theoperative positioning of the roller which is shown in Figures 13 and 14unless a sheet I4 is then engaged between the rollers I6 and I1. As isparticularly brought out in Figure 9, the stop member 58 is pivoted tothe frame cross-bar 51 and is resiliently urged to maintain contact withthe bar 22 through the action of a tension spring 59 which is coactivebetween it and the crossbar 51.

Intermediately in its bar-engaging face 60, the member 58 is providedwith a notch 6| for receiving a complementarily formed portion'of thebar 22 in such a manner as to prevent a further lowering of the barwhile permitting a lifting of the bar from the notch. While the bar 22is disposed in the notch 6|, the impression roller I8 is held spacedfrom the cylinder 3, this being the condition shown in *"Figure 9..Itwill be understood that the positioning of the roller I8 is controlledby the position of the bar 22 which is in turn arranged for movement inan arcuate path through its periodic engagement with the arms 24 of theshaft 2| which are oscillated between limitingpositions thereof; the.bar is lifted positively as the arms 24 move upwardly and is loweredthrough the action of the spring 23 as the arms 'move downwardly untilits further lowering is prevented either by its engagement in the notch6| or by the engagement of the impression roller I8 against the underside of a sheet I4 at the cylinder.

A detent 62 is provided for operating to prevent the engagement of thebar 22 in the notch 6| of the stop member 58 as the bar moves downwardlyalong the face 60 of the member and.

while a sheet I4 is disposed in the machine for 60 the printing thereof,said detent being directly coactive with said member. As is particularlybrought out in Figures 9 to 14 and 40 and 41, the detent 62 depends froma shaft 63 which is journalled in and between bearing blocks provided onthe frame cross-bar 40 and for oscillation about an axis parallel to theaxis of the cylinder. The detent 62 is pivoted'to the shaft 63 forrocking in a plane parallel to the shaft' axis, and from a normalposition thereof in which it is displaceably held by a tension spring 64which is appropriately operative between the detent and the shaft 63which carries it.

One or more fingers 65 extend generally radially from the shaft 63 tohave their free ends overlie the shaft 34 at plate openings 3'! forswinging upwardly through said openings to engage any sheet I4thereabove. The detent 82 is arranged to be normally disposed in thearouate path of movement of a top extension 66 of the member 58 wherebysaid extension may engage the detent to rock the shaft 63 and therebylift the fingers 65.

If the fingers encountered a sheet I4 as they are lifted, the sheetoperates to prevent a further rocking of the shaft and a displacement ofthe detent, whereby the detent is then and thereafter operative to holdthe member 58 out of engagement with the rod 22 while the latter isswung downwardly past the notch SI of the member; this functioning ofthe detent 62 is brought out in Figures 12 and 13. If the fingers 65encounter no sheet above them, the engagement of the member 58 with therod 22 continues and the rod is permitted to seat in the notch as isshown in Figure 9; the latter is understood to be the condition of thesheet-feeding mechanism before the first sheet of a stack on the feedtable is advanced for printing or following an actuation of themechanism without a feeding of a sheet therethrough.

In order to insure an even spacing of the impression roller I8 from thestencil cylinder while the roller is held from engagement with thecylinder by reason of the engagement of the rod 22 in the notch BI, asecond swinging stop member 58 is provided in spaced relation from themember 58. The member 58 is fixed to the member 58 and provides a notch6| whereby the bar 22 may be parallel to the cylinder axis when the baris seated in and across the notches GI and 6 I The structure wherein themembers 58 and 58' form parts of a unitary stop assembly is brought outin Figures 3 and 1'7.

Referring to the showing of Figure 10, it is noted that while the sheetI4 is being advanced to its engagement with the stops 39, the shaft Hhas been so rotated that its arm 24 has lifted the bar 22 above thenotch 8| and, by reason of the engagement of the bar with the upperportion of the working face 60 of the member 58, has rocked the memberto dispose the upper end 66 of the member behind the plane of the detent62. While the roller 52 is'being raised from the sheet, the arm 24 isgradually lowered to permit a lowering of the bar 22 and a movement ofthe end 66 toward and against the detent 62 whereby, just before the bar22 is positioned opposite the notch 6|. the engagement of the detentwith the member 58 has rocked the fingers 65 against the sheet I4 at therollers I6, as is shown in Figure 12.

The sheet I4, thereafter acting as a stop, holds the detent 62 fixed infront of the member 58 to prevent the further forward movement of themember as the arm 24 is lowered to its starting position to dispose thebar 22 below the notch SI, as is particularly shown in Figures 13 and14. When the sheet I4 is advanced beyond thecontact ends of the fingers65, the fingers lift to release the member 58 for contacting the bar 22at a point of the member below the notch 6I and the detent may bedisposed on top of the member 58 which then underlies it; whenever thedetent engages the top of the member 58, it is arranged to be displacedin its plane and against the resistance of the spring 64. A subsequentupward movement of the bar 22 as the next sheet I4 is advanced to thestops 39 restores the conditions found in Figure 10, and the describedcycle of operations of the feed-mechanism is thereafter repeated.

The various shafts 2| and 34 and 55are arranged to be appropriatelyactuated in the desired manner and sequence by a suitable actuatingmechanism which is shown generally in Figures 5 18 to 20. The requiredoperations are primarily derived from the controlled reciprocativemovement of a bar 68 which pivotally engages an arm 89 extending rigidlyfrom the shaft 2! and is forked at its upper end to span a hub portion61 of the cylinder. The bar 68 is disposed in generally upright positionin parallel relation to the frame side 5, and a plate cam 10 is mountedon the cylinder adjacent and inwardly of the forked portion of the bar68. At its inner side, and in I the plane of the cam 10, the bar 68carriesa roller 1| for periodic engagement by the cam to lower the barand so oscillate the shaft 2| as is required for controlling thedisposal of the impression roller I8 in the previously described manner.It is noted that the spring 26 for the shaft 2| is operative to urge theupward disposal of the arm 69 and the bar 68.

An actuator element 12 is pivoted to the frame side 5 adjacent the planeof operation of the bar 88. The element 12 comprises a flat plateproviding a segmental gear 13, an arm 14, and a radial slot 15. A roller16 is mounted at the outer face of the bar 68 and constantly engages inthe slot 15 whereby the element 12 is arranged for 30 oscillation aboutits pivotal axis as the bar 68 is reciprocated, said axis being fixed.

The segmental gear 13 is utilized to effect the periodic rotation of theshaft 34 which carries the segmental feed rollers I1 through the opera-35'tion of a pinion 18 which it constantly engages and which isconnected with the shaft 34 through a suitable one-way clutch in such amanner that the shaft 34 is rotated only by and during a return movementof the element 12 to its normal position which is shown in Figure 18. Itwill be understood that it is this rotation of the shaft 34 whichperiodically effects the described operative rotation of the segmentalrollers'l1 at the appropriate time in each rotative cycle of theprinting cylinder 3.

As is particularly illustrated in Figures 36 to 39, the pinion 18 iscoaxially fixed on a sleeve mem ber 19 which is rotatable on a reducedend portion of the shaft 34 and provides an annular flange 88 at theouter side of the pinion. The flange 80 carries a detent member 8|pivoted thereon and providing a catch head portion 82. A spring 83 iscoactive between the member 8| and the flange 80 to constantly urge thedisposal of the detent head 82 in a radially outward position thereof.Adjacent the end portion thereof which carries the pinion 18, the shaft34 has fixed thereon a member 84 in which a cylindrical socket isdefined for receiving the assembly of the pinion 18 and the sleeve 19and the detent 8|. The member 84 comprises an end wall 85 and a sidewall 86 comprising a tubular flange extending axially from the end wall85 todefine the socket cavity. At one point thereof, the socket wall 8665 is provided with an opening 81 through which the detent head 82 mayprotrude when the latter is disposed thereat. The arrangement is suchthat the detent may be pressed inwardly to have its head 82 within thesocket for its rotation therein while the head contacts the bore of thewall 86 or may engage the wall 86 at an end of the opening 81 to cause arotation of the shaft with the pinion 18.

It will now be noted that a spring-pressed roller 75 88 is mounted onthe casing wall 5 in the plane of the member 84 and for resilientengagement with the outer periphery of said member axially across thesame. Opposite the opening 81, the end wall 85 of the member 84 isprovided with a relatively shallow notch 89 for receiving the roller 88and shaped to complementarily receivev said roller. When the roller 88engages'the notch 89, the segmental feed rollers I1 on the shaft 34 arearranged to be in the position shown therefor in Figures 9 to 11 and 14,and the detent head 82 is pressed inwardly by the roller 88 as is shownin Figures 36 and 3'7.

The detent member 8| is so mounted and its head 82 is so shaped that arotation of the pinion 18 in a direction corresponding to an operativerotation of the shaft 34 engages the head with the member 84 at theforward end of the opening 81 as is indicated in Figure 38, it beingnoted that the return stroke of the segmental gear 13 of the element 12is arranged to effect one com plete revolution of the pinion 18 and soof the shaft 34. If the operation of the pinion 18 should be reversedwhile the catch head 82 engages the member 84 at the forward end of theopening 81, the head 82 is arranged to then engage the member at theforward end of the opening 81 by reason of the. inoperativeness of theroller 88 and for effecting a reverse rotation of the member and theshaft 34; in this manner, the member 84 will always be brought to restwith the notch 89 engaging the roller 88 at the end of a working strokeof the segmental gear 13.

A rack bar 98 is pivoted at one end thereof to the arm 14 of theactuator element 12 and is constantly engaged between a pinion 9| and aroller 92 which are mounted on stub shafts extending from the framemember 5. The pinion 9| is connected with the shaft 53 which carries therollers '52 by means of a shaft 93 (Figure 22) and universal jointconnections whereby the rollers 52 may be rotated by and upon thereciprocation of the rack bar 98 and in accordance with the travel ofsaid bar. The roller 52 is actuated in a paper-feeding direction whenthe roller engages the top sheet l4 of the stack on the feed table andin the reverse direction when the roller is lifted to an inoperativeposition in the manner previously stated.

Means are provided for adjusting the rotative feeding travel of therollers 52 whereby the amount of the described buckling produced in asheet l4 which has been projected by said rollers against the stops 39may be adjusted as required. As is particularly brought out in Figure18a, the pivotal connection between the rack bar 98 and the arm 14 isprovided by the engagement of a pivot pin 94 fixed in the arm in alongitudinal slot 95 provided in the rack end thereat. An arm 96 extendsradially from the hub of the pinion 9| and normally engages a stop pin91 which is vadjustably mounted on the frame member 5 in the plane ofoscillation of the arm. The stop pin 91 is arranged to so engage the arm96 as to limit the return, or inoperative, rotation of the rollers andthereby determine the full angle of oscillation of the rollers for boththeir working and return rotations, it being noted that the oscillationangle (and sheet buckling effect) is de.. termined by the adjustedspacing of the pin 94 from the outer end of the slot 95 when the element12 is in its inoperative position. It will be understood that a feedingrotation of the rollers 52 is arranged to cease before the rollers arelifted as described to release the sheet engaged by them, and that thedesirable degree of buckling will vary with sheets of differentthickness and/or degrees of thickness. A tension spring 98 is constantlyoperative to urge the movement of the rack bar 90 and the pinion 9| toengage the arm 96 with the adjustable stop pin 91.

By particular reference to Figure 18, it will be noted that thedescribed devices for actuating the shafts 2i and 34 and 53 are thereinshown as at the beginning of a cycle of sheet-feeding operations withrespect to the cylinder, whereby the various shafts are generally as inFigure 9. In

Figure 19, the shaft-operating elements are shown in the coactiverelation which exists therefor when the feeding mechanism shafts aredisposed as in Figure 11. Figure shows the relations of the shaftcontrolling mechanisms as they are when the paper-feeding conditions arethose which are shown in Figure 13.

Referring now to the feed table I5 and its control, it will be noted, byparticular reference to Figures 6 and 23 and 25, that the feed table isformed of sheet material providing an horizontal deck for receiving astack of sheets and having downturned edge portions 99 defining mutuallyfacing channels I00 beneath the deck. Mutually parallel rock-shafts IMand I02 are journalled in and between the side frame members 5 and 6beneath the table and near its ends, said shafts defining a plane whichis parallel to the deck of the table. A pair of arms I03 extendsgenerally forwardly from each of the shafts IOI and I02, said arms beingfixed to the respective shafts in mutually parallel relation and beingconnected by rods I04 carrying rollers I05 beyond the arms and engagingin the table channels I00 for supportin the table on the arms I03.

As is brought out in Figure 15, the forward table edge is provided withextensions I06 at opposite sides of the post 56 and which engage inlongitudinal grooves I01 provided in said post sides. As shown in Figure23, a tension spring I08 is coactive between the table and a rod I04 toconstantly urge the table forwardly in its contact with the post 56. Inthis manner the table is restrained against lateral displacement withrespect to the post as it is raised or lowered by a rocking of the armsI04.

At the ends thereof adjacent the frame side 6, the shafts IN and I02carry arms I09 which extend generally upwardly, are fixed to the shaftsin mutually parallel relation, and are connected by a link I I0 which ispivoted to the arms at like distances from the shafts; in this manner,the arms I09 are constrained for swinging together and their rocking isarranged to effect like movements of the arms I03 to elevate or lowerthe table I5 while the same is retained in parallel relation to theplane of the shafts. Tension springs I I I extend rearwardly from theforward arm I09 to anchorages on the wall 6 whereby they are constantlyoperative to urge a swinging of the arms I09 to elevate the table I5.When a stack of sheets I4 is first placed 0 the table I5, the latter isdisposed in depressed position against the resistance of the springs IIIby manual pressure, and means are provided for securing the table indepressed position and for controlled and progressive raising thereof byutilizing the stored energy of the springs III. As particularlyillustrated, the table elevating control comprises an escapementmechanism which is provided in and on a casing I I2 which is mounted onthe frame member 6 in advance of the forward arm I09.

As is particularly shown in Figures 23 and 25,

a rack bar II3 extends forwardly into the casing II2 from a pivotalconnection with the forward arm I09 and between a pinion I I4 and aroller II5 for actuating the pinion whenthe rack bar is reciprocated.The pinion and roller are rotatably mounted on stub shafts extendingfrom the casing wall II 6 adjacent the frame side 5, and the pinion iscoaxially fixed to a relatively large gear II! which meshes with apinion IIO which is carried on astub shaft II9 extending from the casingwall H6.

An escapement wheel I2I is rotatably mounted on the shaft I I9 besidethe pinion I I8 and carries a spring-pressed pawl I22 at its pinion sidefor constant operation against the pinion in such a manner as to permita relative rotation of the wheel and pinion onlywhilethe table is beingdepressed. An escapement lever I23 is pivoted opposite the wheel I2I andpresents spaced teeth I24 and I25 toward the wheel, said teeth beingprovided on lever arms I25 and I2! respectively and being operative atopposite sides of the common plane of the wheel and lever axes andarranged to receive two adjacent wheel teeth between them. The lever armI26 is extended somewhat and is arranged for movement between spacedstops I28 and I29 which are operative to limit the range of oscillationof the arm and lever.

Assuming that the lever I23 is free for oscillation and that theescapement wheel I2I is rotating in a direction to permit a raising ofthe table I5, teeth of the escapement wheel will alternately engage thedifferent lever teeth I24 and I25 to effect an oscillation of the leverbetween its limiting positions. Means are provided for securing thelever when the elevation of the table is to be stopped; as shown, a barI3I is intermediately pivoted opposite the free end of the lever arm I26for the swinging of one end portion thereof against the extremity of thearm I23, and the bar face which opposes the arm extremity is providedwith a stop projection I32 which is disposed generally midway of the arcof movement of the arm end. When the stop I32 is disposed in the path ofmovement of the arm I26 and the arm engages either side thereof, aratchet wheel tooth is then arranged to engage one or the other of thelever teeth I24 or I25 to prevent a rotation of the ratchet wheel, thisbeing a normal condition of the present escapement mechanism by reasonof the action of a spring I33 which is constantly tensed between the barI3I and an achorage on the casing wall II6.

The bar I3I is fixed on a shaft I34 which extends through and from aforward face plate or wall I35 of the casing H2 and carries a radial armI36 thereon externally of the casing; in this manner, the bar I3I may beplaced in inoperative position with respect to the escapement lever I23by rocking the shaft I34 through rotatively displacing the bar from itsnormal position against the resistance of the spring I33. While the stopI32 of the bar I3I is inoperative, the escapement wheel may rotate byreason of the pull of the springs IIO acting through the connectionsprovided by the rack bar I I3, the pinion II4, the gear IILpinion H8,and pawl I22; in this manner, the table is automatically elevated while,and only while, the stop I32 is inoperative with respect to theescapement lever I23. It will be noted that the disclosed elevatingconnections between the table and escapement wheel are such that anescape movement of one tooth of the wheel represents a movement of thetable which is preferably no greater than the thickness of the thinnestsheet I4 to be printed, in this manner the device will operate forsheets of all thicknesses.

A normally withdrawn plunger I31 extends through a slideway boreprovided in the top of the casing I I2 for engagement with the bar I3lto inoperably dispose the stop I32 of the bar. As is particularlyillustrated in Figure 25. the plunger 10 I37 is urged outwardly to aninoperative position by means of a compression spring I38 engagingbetween the head of the plunger and the casing wall through which theplunger is reciprocable, and an inner projection on the plunger limitsits 13 outward movement. It will be understood that the plunger I31 maybe manually actuated at any time to release the escapement and cause araising of the table independently of a rocking of the bar I3I through adisplacement of the arm I36.

It will now be noted that one end of the rockshaft 55 is disposedadjacent and parallel to the shaft I34 andfixedly mounts an arm I Mwhich carries a contact pin shown, the pin I42 comprises a headed screwwhich is adjustably engaged in the arm. When the shaft 55 is rocked in adirection to lower the rollers 52. the pin I42 may engage the arm I36 ofthe shaft I34 to rock the latter for releasing the escapement mechanismin the described manner. With the rollers 52 depressed sufliciently torelease the escapement mechanism, the resulting lifting of the stack ofsheets I4 on the table against the rollers will rock the shaft 55 todisplace the pin I42 to permit a return movement of the arm I36 and soof the bar I3I to operably dispose the stop I32 and prevent the furtheraction of the escapement mechanism. The pin I42 would be so adjusted inthe arm I4I that the top sheet I4 of a stack on the table may beappropriately disposed with respect to the top of the stop post 56 for asubsequent advancement of the sheet by the rollers 52 in the describedmanner. An arm I44 extends radially from the shaft 55 adjacent thecasing plate I35, and a tension spring I45 is coactive between the plateand arm to constantly urge a rotation of the shaft 55 to depress therollers 52.

Means are provided for controlling the posi- 5 tioning of the rollers 52in accordance with the cyclic requirements therefor, said means beingoperated in accordance with the operation of the printing cylinder 3.Referring to Figures 18 to 20, it will be seen that a radial arm I46extends generally horizontally from the end of the shaft 55 nearest theframe member and that a rod I41 is pivoted to the arm end and extendsupwardly through an eye provided at the free end of an arm I48 whichextends adjacent the cylin- 60 der hub 61 and is pivoted to the framemember 5 at its other end. The arm I48 carries a roller which isarranged to constantly rest on the periphery of a plate cam I49 which ismounted on the hub 61 for rotation with the cylinder, and

65 a tension spring I56 is constantly operative to pull the arm againstthe cam I49. A stop sleeve I5I is adjustably mounted on the rod I4'Iabove the arm eye which receives it.

It will now be noted that the working periph- 70 cry of the cam I49 isso shaped and is so related to the cylinder 3 that, when thesheet-feeding mechanism is generally as in Figures 11 and 12 and 13, thearm I48 engages the sleeve I5! to lift the rod I41 and the arm I46 torock the shaft 75 55 to position the rollers 52 in their inoperative fitI42; preferably, and as position. When it is time for the lowering ofthe rollers 52,.the arm I48 is lowered to permit the functioning of thespring I45 to lower the rollers, as in Figure 14. If the lowering of therollers 52 causes the release of the escapement mechanism, the table islifted until the top sheet thereon is at the desired and adjustedlimiting level; it will be understood that the latter occurs followingeach removal of a sheet from the stack as the machine is continuouslyoperated.

'Means are provided whereby the automatic elevation of the table may beprevented, as when starting a sheet by hand is desired. As isparticularly brought out in Figures 18 and 26 to 28,

an arm I53 is pivoted to the frame member 5 at.

its inner face and presents its free extremity below the arm I46 of therock-shaft 55 and in the planeof operation of the arm. A rotary stop.

member I54 is mounted on the member 5 above the arm I53 and in itsplane, said member including a radial handle for rotatably adjusting itand being formed to provide flat faces I55 and I56 and I 51 atsuccessively closer distances to the axis of the member. A spring I58constantly pulls the arm I53 upwardly against the stop I54.

When the arm I53 engages the stop face I55, as in Figures 18 and 26, itstip is spaced from the arm I46 for permitting the described lowering ofthe rollers. 52 below the delivery plane for sheets on the feed table.When' the member I 54 is rotated for the engagement of the arm I53 withthe stop face I56, as is shown in Figure 27, .the tip of the arm I53engages the arm I46 to prevent its lowering to operably dispose therollers 52.

When the arm I53 engages the stop face I51 of the member I54 (Figure28), it is arranged to lift the arm I46 to the raised position which itassumes when the cam I49 is operative in the manner described therefor,and to retain the arm in such position. The latter disposal of the armI46 is also arranged to render the remainder of the sheet-feedingmechanism inoperative through operatively disposing a pawl I59 which isarranged to engage and fix the actuator element against operating whenthe actuator bar 68 is in its lowest position; in this manner, thecontinued rotation of the cylinder is thereafter permitted withoutrequiring an operation of the feeding means. i

As is particularly shown in Figures 18 and 28, the pawl I59 isintermediately pivoted in the frame member 5 and is urged to dispose itspoint slightly above the line of operation of the element 12 through theaction of a spring I60. The other end of the pawl I59 is disposed in thepath of movement of a pin I6I extending laterally from the rod I41whereby the pin I6I may engage the pawl to swing its point into the pathof the end of the arm '14 and a notch I62 therein for engagement in saidnotch, it being noted that when the rod M1 is reciprocated by the normalaction of the arm I46, the pawl I59 is inoperatively disposed when thearm 14 passes it. Following an operative engagement of the pawl I59 inthe notch I62 and a subsequent release and lowering of the stop arm I53,a rotation of the cylinder is arranged to release the pawl.

Means are provided for automatically preventing a raising of the feedtable I5 beyond a predetermined height therefor, thereby stopping thedelivery of sheets from the table independently of the normal operationof the described feeding mechanism. As illustrated, the depending armI44 of the shaft 55 is arranged to normally pass over the free endportion of a bar I63 which is pivoted to the plate I35 at, the endthereof farthest from the arm MI, and gravitationally rests upon asupport pin I63 extending from the plate.

As is brought out in Figures 23 and 24, a contact pin I64 depends fromthe bar I63 for engagement with a projection I65 of the table I5 as thelatter reaches its desired limiting height, whereby the table is itselfoperative to dispose the bar for engagement by the arm MI and so preventa normal rocking of the shaft 55 to continue the sheet feeding.

The upward movement of the table I5 is preferably stopped while it stillcontains several sheets I4, and means are provided for manual operationto thereafter release the escapement mechanism to raise the table. forthe feeding removal of the remaining sheets therefrom. As particularlyshown, the pin I64 slidably engages in a hole through the bar I63, isdouble-headed, and is constantly urged downwardly through the action ofa spring I64 which is operative between the bar and the lower pin head,the spring preferably being stiff enough to withstand an appreciablecompression thereof when the table projection I65 engages it for liftingthe bar into operative relation with respect to the shaft arm I44. Aheaded pin I66 extends upwardly from the bar I63 with its head overlyingand spaced from the upper head of the pin I64. When the bar I63 isoperative as a stop means, it may be manually engaged and presseddownwardly against the resistance of the spring I64 to release the armI44 and so permit acontinuance of the feeding from the table through thepermitted functioning of 35 the .table elevating mechanism. Inthismanner, the removal and printing of the last sheets on the table I5may be effected following the described automatic termination of anautomatic removal of the sheets.

Means are provided for insuring a freeing of the top sheet I4 of a stackof sheets on the table I5 as the sheet is individually advanced in thedescribed manner. As particularly shown in Figures 1 to 8, side wallmembers I61 are mounted on 45 the table I5 for receiving a stack ofsheets I4 between them. The walls I61 are relatively adjustable to andfrom each other, have mutually inturned bottom flanges I61, and areprovided with mutually opposite and upright slots I68. A

50 member I69 is fixed externally on a wall I61 adjacent one slot I68and mounts a bar member I within the slot, the latter member having asharpened edge protruding slightly within the space for the stack andfor the full length of the slot. The opposite slot I66 of the other wallI61 serves as a guideway for a weight member I1I from which a point I12extends inwardly from the wall thereat. Preferably, and as shown, thepoint IN is formed to provide an edge extending 60 obliquely downwardlytoward the wall from the tip of the point.

When a stack of sheets I4 is placed on the table in contact with thestop post 56, the weight member I1I is inoperatively disposed and thewalls 65 I61 are adjusted toward each other to closely fit the stack andfirmly engage the bar I10 with the stack side thereat. The weight memberis then lowered to gravitationally rest on the stack to 7 have its pointI12 obliquely engage on the top sheets I4, the relation being broughtout in Figure 6. When the top sheet I4 is moved over the stack by theaction of the rollers 52, the sheet is shifted laterally toward the barI16 and is lifted 75 adjacent the edge thereat whereby air is admittedbeneath the sheet; in this manner, any cohesion with the underlyingsheet is broken. The edge I10 and point I12 also cooperate to hold theremaining sheets of the stack in place, and the present arrangement hasbeen found particularly valuable as a means to insure a proper feedingof sheets from the table by the described means.

Printed sheets I4 delivered from between the stencil 2 and theimpression roller I 8 are arranged to fall into a collecting tray I13,and means may be provided for interposing insert sheets I14 between theprinted sheets I4 as the latter are delivered to the tray. As generallyillustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a stack of the sheets I14 is arrangedfor support in a tray I15 mounted on and above the tray I13 and havingan open bottom. and suitable means are provided for releasing the sheetsI14 one at, a time for falling upon a delivered sheet I4 in the lowertray before the next sheet is delivered, the device being known asslipsheeting.

Since it will not always be necessary or desirable to use aninterleaving, or slip-sheeting,

device, independent means are provided for limit the. movement of theprinted sheets I4 in the receiving tray I13. As particularly illustratedin Figures 1 and 29 to 30, said means comprises a unit 208 having a base209 from which a swinging member 2I0 extends. The base 209 has adepending portion slidably engaged in a longitudinal slot 2 provided inthe tray bottom 206 whereby the base is guided for solely rectilinearadjustment in said slot, and a clampbolt assembly 2I2 is provided to fixthe unit in adjusted position on the tray bottom 266.

The member 2I6 of the unit 268 is formed of sheet material, is hinged tothe rearward edge of the base 209 for swinging movement about an axiswhich is parallel to the tray bottom 266 and perpendicular to thelongitudinal tray axis, and comprises perpendicularly related portions2I3 and 2I4. At its juncture with the portion 2I3, the portion 2 I4 isprovided with an opening which freely receives therethrough a leafspring 2 I5 which is fixed to the base and extends through said openingin generally parallel relation to the tray bottom 206 and in constantbearing engagement with the top edge of the portion 2 I 3. When theportion 2I4 of the member 2I0 is upright as in Figure 29, it constitutesa stop for printed sheets delivered in the tray. When the portion 2I4 isswung to a prone position, as in Figure 30, the spring 2I5 operates tolift the advance end of a stack of delivered sheets I4 from the traybottom thereat in the indicated manner for facilitating a removal of thestack from the tray. It will be noted that the spring 2I5 is operativeto urge a retention of the member 2I6 in either one of its limitingpositions.

By reference to- Figures 9 and 16, it will now be noted that themounting of the impression roller I8 includes certain improvements forrollers of this type. As particularly illustrated, the shaft I9 whichcarries the roller is stepped adjacent its extremities to providereduced end portions 2 I1 and 2 I 8 terminating at shoulders 2 I 9 andengaged end from the other arm 29; in this manner, the roller I8 may bereadily removed or replaced.

The roller I8 comprises a core tube 22I carrying a relatively thick andresilient tread 222 for is engaging beneath a sheet I4 at the stencil onthe .cylinder. blies are mounted in the core tube 22I at opposite endsthereof, said bearings having their outer races 224 snugly fitting thebore of the tube 22I l and their tubular inner races 225 slidably re-'ceiving intermediate shaft portions 226 and 221 which extend from theshoulders 2I9 and 22!! respectively. The bearing races 224 may beretained in the tube 22I by turning end portions 228 of the tubeinwardly to provide retaining lugs.

The present arrangement for enclosing the bearings within the roller isunderstood to eliminate the probability of ink getting therein.

Inwardly of the different bearing races 225 50 and in spaced relationthereto, the shaft I9 is provided with radial shoulders 229; as shown,the shoulders 229 are defined at the ends of an enlarged central shaftportion 23I. Helical compression springs 232 encircle the shaft portions5 226 and 221 and are respectively operative between the shoulders 229and 230 and the inner bearing races 225; it will be obvious that thesprings 232 are coactive to yieldingly retain the roller in alongitudinally centered position on the 50 shaft.

Recalling the fact that in sheet-handling devices where a sheet ofmaterial is gripped and advanced between rollers, a very slightvariation from a true cylinder of uniform cross-section of one or bothrollers will operate to urge a lateral motion of a sheet gripped thereatwhereby the sheet may be wrinkled or even torn. In the presentduplicator, the printing cylinder 3 is supported against a longitudinalshifting thereof, and the disclosed mounting of the impression roller I8for a possible axial shifting thereof against the slight resistance of aspring 232 is designed to eliminate any lateral stresses in a sheet asit is advanced between the cylinder and 'roller; this feature has beenfound particularly valuable when applied to duplicating machines of thepresent type. It will be understood that the roller I8 is automaticallyrecentered each time it is lowered to an inoperative position,- the t)latter occurring after each sheet is printed and discharged.

A pawl 235 (Figures 18 to 20) is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 236which extends from the inner side of the frame member 5 and in the i5plane of the gear I2 of the manually operable drive for the cylinder,said pawl being normally inoperative and being arranged for lockingengagement with the gear I2 for securing the cylinder against I rotationwhen such is desired. A spring 231 is operative to maintain the pawl 235in engagement with a cam 238 which is mounted for rotation about a stubshaft 239 extending from the frame side 5, said cam presenting flatfaces at different distances from its axis whereby the pawl 235 may beoperative when it engages one said cam face and inoperative when itengages the other. A handle 24!] extends radially from the cam 238 foruse in setting it as desired.

- Referring now to the structure and mounting of the printing cylinderor drum 3, and with particular reference to Figures 3 and 18 and 21, and42, it is noted that the cylinder essentially comprises a pair ofcircular end plates 24I and 242 5 connected by a cylindrically curvedand perfo-' Suitable anti-friction bearingaxemrated diaphragm plate 243over which the stencil 2 is disposed. End portions 244 of the diaphragmplate are turned radially inwardly to provide distinct bends at thelimits of its working area, and said portions are fixed to mutuallyspaced tie bars 245 which connect the end plates 2 and 242, are parallelto the cylinder axis, and mount an ink reservoir and ink-feedingassembly 246 within the cylinder space and generally between them. Afabric inking pad 24'! is interposed between the stencil and thediaphragm plate, and suitable means are provided to secure the ends ofthe mounted stencil and pad to the cylinder.

A shaft 249 extends axially within the'cylinder, engages through a borein the end plate 242 for rotative adjustment in said bore, and extendsthrough and from a sleeve bearing 250 which is mounted in the framemember 6. At its other end the shaft 249 is journalled in the tubularhub 61 which is integral with the plate 24l, said hub extendingoutwardly from the plate toward the frame member 5 and carrying the gearI2 fixed to it at its. outer end and in spaced relation to the plate. Astub-shaft or bearing pin 254 is mounted in the frame member 5 andextends within the bore of the hub 51 whereby the adjacent cylinder endis supported thereat and thereby. It will thus be understood that thecylinder 3 is rotatably supported by and between the bearing pin 254 andthe sleeve bearing 250 which are engaged respectively by the hub 51 andshaft 249, and that the said hub and shaft are arranged for relativerotation independently of the rotation of the cylinder. Suitableanti-friction bearing bushings may be provided in the bores whichrotatably receive the shafts 249 and 254, this being indicated in Figure21.

Means are provided for varying the relative timing of the steps of thedescribed cycle of sheet-feeding operations with respect to the rotativecycle of the cylinder, this feature providing certain advantages to behereinafter brought out in detail and in i/olvingcertain rotativelyadjusted settings of the plate cams III and I49 with respect to thecylinder. As is particularly disclosed in Figures 18 and 21, a disc 255is mounted at and against the outer face of the cylinder end 24l, saiddisc being provided with a tubular hub portion 256 receiving the hub 61and extending outwardly to present its outer end in spaced relationtothe gear I2 on the latter hub whereby an annular groove is defined aboutthe hub 61 and between the gear I2 and the opposed end of the hub 256,said groove receiving the plate cam I49 and a bearing ring 251 which isslidably engaged in the fork at the upper end of the actuator bar 68.The cam I49 and ring 251 are both rotatably carried and centered on thehub 61.

By particular reference to Figures 21 and 31 to 35, it will now be notedthat the cam I0 comprises two flat disc members 258 and 259 having likeprofiles which are arranged to register when a full-length of stencil isto be printed from; the latter condition has been hereinbefore assumedin describing the present mechanism and its operation. The roller II onthe actuator bar 68 extends into the zones of operation of both of thecams 258 and 259 whereby either and/or both of these cams may engage theroller as they are rotated. The outermost cam 258 is fixed on the outerend of the hub 256, and, the cam 259 is arranged for rot-ativeadjustment about said hub. A pin 260 extends rigidly from the cam I49into the cam 259 through an arcuate slot provided in the cam 258 wherebythe cams M9 and 259 may be adjusted together in a fixed corelation.

A flat spring arm 25H is fixed to and extends radially from the cam 259at the face thereof nearest the disc 255, and said arm is provided witha detent pinv 262 for selective engagement in any one of a plurality ofholes or sockets 263 provided in the disc opposite the circle ofmovement of the pin; in this manner, the cams M 10 and 259 may be heldagainst rotation on the hub 256 in any one of a plurality of rotativelyadjusted relations to the earn 258, it being noted that the pin 252engages a hole 263 when the profiles of the cams 258 and 259 arealigned.

A circular dove-tail groove 264 is provided in the face of the plate 2Mopposite the outer edge portion of the disc 255 and engages the head 265of a bolt member 266 which extends outwardly through a disc perforationand carries a thumb nut 26? at its outer end for tightening the boltto'lock the plate and disc in adjusted relation; the present assembly isillustrated in detail in Figure 21. It will be understood that thepermitted relative adjustment of the plate and disc provides for apositive control and adjustment of the place on a sheet M where thestencil printing may begin and independently of the position of theprinting characters on the stencil sheet. One particular advantage ofthe 30 present device is that printing may be placed closer to the topof a sheet than the corresponding stencil characters are to the. workingtop of the stencil sheet; conversely, the printing may be lower on thesheet than on the stencil.

When the cams I49 and 259 are advanced with respect to the cams 258, asis shown in Figures 31 to 35 inclusive, the operative movement of theactuator bar 68 is advanced with respect to a rotative cycle for thecylinder whereby the impression roller I8 is sooner displaced to aninoperative position with respect to the stencil, this vbeing mostdesirable when the material to be printed does not extend to the end ofthe stencil or the sheets are shorter than the stencil. It is necessary,however, that the operations which follow the limiting displacement ofthe. bar 68 occur at the same time in the rotative cycle of the cylinderas before, and to this end the bar 68 is suitably retained in thedepressed position which it assumed by reason of the action of the cam259 until the cam 258 is operative thereon, after which the actuation ofthe mechanism is controlled by the cam 258 as when the cams 258 and 259act together as one.

It will be particularly notedthat, by reason of the adjustments providedfor the disc 255 with respect to the cylinder 3 and, for the cam 259with respect to the cam 258, the present duplicator machine may be usedto provide printing on sheets of different lengths and at predeterminedlocations on said sheets. Furthermore, a stencil may contain two or moredistinct sets of reading matter for placement on a like number of setsof sheets, and each set of sheets may be run through separately toreceive the intended matter thereon merely by appropriately adjustingthe disc 255 and/or the cam 259 for the successive sets of sheets; thelatter is understood to make possible an important economy in the use ofstencil sheets.

A pawl member 210 is provided for operation to maintain the actuator bar68 in its depressed position while the cylinder rotates from itsposition where the cam 259 operatively engages the roller H of the barto a position where the cam 258 operatively engages said roller, saidpawl being downwardly operative during the indicated period in anupwardly directed notch 21! provided in the opposed edge of the bar 88.As particularly illustrated, the pawl 215 is carried by and betweenplates 212 .which are arranged to slidably receive the opposed edgeportion of the bar 58 between them for maintaining the cooperativealignment of the pawl with the opposed bar edge and notch 2H therein.The plates 212 pivotally receive the outer end portion of the stub shaft259 which rotatably carries the cam 238, and a spring 213 is constantlycoactive between the pawl assembly and the shaft 239 to urge the pawltoward the opposed bar edge. A pin 2% extends outwardly from the freeend of the inner plate 212 for engagement solely with the working edgeof the cam 268,

By particular reference to Figures 31 and 32, it will now be noted thatthe indicated full advancement of the cam 259 has effected a lowering ofthe bar 58 with a corresponding advancement of the cyclic operationsresulting therefrom. As the cylinder rotates to take the cam 259 fromabove the roller H, the normal return movement of the bar is stopped bythe operative engagement of the pawl 270 in the bar notch 2', thiscondition being illustrated in Figure 33. Following a subsequentengagement of the roller H by the cam 258 to unseat the pawl 210, the

latter cam engages the pin 214 to rock the pawl out of the path of thenotch 21! for a period long enough to permit the simultaneous recessivemovement of the bar 88 to position the notch above the pawl point; theselatter relations are illustrated generally in Figures 34 and 35.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a suitable counter 326 is provided, saidcounter being mounted on the frame side 5 and being connected with thearm 20 of the rock-shaft 2| by means of a link element 321 for actuationeach time said shaft is rocked to permit an operative disposal of theimpression roller I8. In this manner, a true count of the sheetsactually printed is automatically obtained.

By reference to Figures 1 and 3 and 21, it will now be noted that thebelt pulley 8 is rotatably mounted on the cylinder shaft 249 and isdisposed between the cylinder end plate 242 and the inner end of thesleeve bearing 250 for the sha t 249. A pin 329 extends axially from theplate 242 adjacent its periphery and at a point thereof between thediaphragm plate extremities and outwardly of the ink reservoir forengagement in the pulley whereby the latter may be constrained forrotation with the cylinder when the latter is to be power driven from abelt engaging the pulley 5.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, the advantages of the construction and method of operationwill be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which theinvention appertains. While I have described the features and theprinciple of operation of a structure which I now consider to be apreferred embodiment of I my invention, I desire to have it understoodthat the showing is primarily illustrative, and that such changes may bemade, when desired, as fall within the scope of the following claims,

1. In a duplicator having a rotary printing cylinder and an impressionroller for sheet-gripping coaction with the cylinder, a plate memberover which a sheet is advanced for printing engagement between thecylinder and the impression'rolllena' fixed stop extending upwardly fromsaid plate. means to advance a sheet over said plate to dispose itsadvance edge against said stop.

means to lift the advance sheet edge out of engagement with the stop,and means operative independently of said sheet-advancing means and/said lifting means to advance the released sheet for engagement betweenthe cylinder and the rollers for coaction in a line parallel to the lineof coaction of the cylinder and impression roller and rearwardly of theline of said stop, means .operative independently of the feed rollers tolift the advance sheet edge out of engagement with the stop, and meansto thereafterrender the feed rollers coactive to advance the releasedsheet for printing engagement between the cylinder and the impressionroller.

3. In a -duplicator having a rotary printing cylinder and an impressionroller for sheet-gripping ahd printing coaction with the cylinder, aplate member against and along which a sheet is arranged to be advancedfor engagement between the cylinder and the impression roller, a fixedstop extending transversely from said plate,

means to advance a sheet along said plate to dispose its advance edgeagainst the stop, a finger resiliently and yieldingly operative againstthe forward end portionbf a sheet engaging the stop to retain the sheetagainst the plate thereat, a normally inoperative finger operativeagainst the sheet opposite the first finger to displace the advancesheet portion from engagement with the stop, and means to actuate thesecond finger against the resistance of the first finger for freeing thesheet from the stop for its advancement for printing. 4. In a duplicatorhaving a rotary printing cylinder and an impression roller forsheet-gripping and printing coaction with the cylinder, a

plate member against and along which a sheet is arranged to be advancedfor printing engagement between the cylinder and the impression roller,a fixed stop extending from said plate, means to move a sheet along saidplate to engage its advance edge against said stop, a finger resilientlyand yieldingly operative against the forward portion of a sheet engagingthe stop to urge the disposal of the sheet against the plate thereat, anormally inoperative finger operative against the sheet opposite thefirst finger to displace the advance sheet portion to free it from thestop for advancement thereover, normally inoperative feed rollers forcoaction with' the freed sheet to advance the same, a drivenshaftcarrying one of said feed rollers, and means on said shaft to actuatethe sheet-releasing finger.

5. In a rotary duplicator, a feed table for carrying a stack of sheetsfor printing, a plate along which a sheet from the-feed table may beadvanced for printing, a stop extending from said plate in the path ofadvancement of a sheet-therealong and arranged for engagement with and 7along the front sheet edge, a feed roller operatively engaging the topsheet on the stack'of sheets on the feed table for advancing the engagedsheet ,to and against the stop for buckling the sheet transverselythereof between the stop and roller for insuring a'fixed disposition ofthe front sheet edge with respect to the printing mechanism and means toadiustably vary the degree of buckling produced in a sheet engaging thestop.

6.In a rotary duplicator. ,a feed table carrying a stack of sheets forprinting. a plate along which a sheet from the feed table is arranged tobe advanced for its printing, a-stop extending from said plate in thepath of advancement of the sheet therealong, feeding means operativelyengaging the top sheet on the stack of sheets on the feed table foradvancing the engaged sheet to and against the stop for buckling thesheet transversely thereof between the stop and feeding means, meansoperative to frictionally grip the forward sheet portion adjacent thestop for preventing a.

feeding mechanism for advancing a sheet for printing engagement betweenthe cylinder and roller, a pivoted stop member normally engaging 'saidframe for preventing an operative disposal of the roller, a normallyinoperative swinging detent for engagement with said stop member todispose it in inoperative relation to the frame, and a swinging armcontrolling the operativeness of said detent and having a terminalportion arranged for movement transversely across the path of movementof the sheet through said feeding mechanism whereby its engagement witha sheet in the mechanism is operative to render said detent operativewith respect to the stop member, and so permit the operative disposal ofsaid roller, said detent and arm being arranged for swinging togetherabout a common axis.

8. In a duplicator having a rotary printing cyl-' inder and animpression roller for cooperative disposal with respect to the cylinder,a rockable frame carrying said roller, feeding mechanism for advancing asheet for its printing engagement between the cylinder and the roller, afeed table for a stack of said sheets, means operative to deliver asheet from a stack thereof on the table to said feeding mechanism, anactuator between the cylinder and the roller and to there after rocksaid frame to operatively dispose the roller.

9. structure in accordance with claim 8 wherein means are provided toadiustably vary the timing of the displacement oi" the actuator memberwith respect to; a rotative-cycle of the cylinderi J 10. A structure inaccordance with claim 8 wherein means are provided to adiustably varythe relative timing of the displacement and return strokes of theactuator member in a rotative cycle of the cylinder. v

11. A structure in accordance with claim 10 having mutually independentmeans to adjustably vary the timing of the displacement oi the actuatormember with respect to a rotative cycle of Y the cylinder, and means toadjustably vary the relative timing of the displacement and returnstrokes of the member.

12. A structure in accordance with claim 8 having means to render solelythe sheet delivering means inoperative and thereby provide for a handdelivery of sheets to. the fully operative 2 0feeding and printingmechanism.

ing a rotary printing cylinder and an elevator feed table, asheet-feeding roller arranged for operation at a predetermined level toengage and primarily advance for printing the top sheet of a stack ofsheets on the table, means automatically operative to temporarilydisplace said roller to an inoperative position thereof during eachrotative cycle of the cylinder, and means whereby a return movement ofthe roller to a point below said level is arranged to eflect araising oisaid table to dispose the top sheet thereof at the aforesaid level.

14. A structure in accordance with that oil claim 13 and characterizedby the provision of means to adjustably vary the timing of saidrollerdisplacement with respect to the rotative cycle of the cylinder.

15. In a continuously operable duplicator havill ing a rotary printingcylinder and an elevator feed table ior'movement between limitinglowered and raised positions thereof, a sheet-feeding roller arrangedfor operation at a predetermined level to engage and primarily advancefor printing the top sheet of a stack of sheets on the table, meansautomatically operative to temporarily displace said roller to aninoperative position thereof during each rotative cycle 01' thecylinder, a table elevating means, means whereby a return movement ofthe roller below said level is normally arranged to automatically effecta raising of said table by the table elevating means to dispose the topsheet thereon at the aforesaid level, means controlled by and inaccordance with the disposition of the feed table to prevent theautomatic raising oi the feed table above a predetermined level which isbelow its limiting raised position, and manually actuatable means torender the last means inoperative to so permit the O0 lifting of thetable to its limiting raised position.-

16. In a continuously operating duplicator, a feed table for holding astack of sheets for successive delivery to the duplicator from the topof the stack, a feed roller operative to engage the top sheet of thestack adjacent its forward edge to advance the sheet in its plane and tothe duplicator for printing, and members on the table operative againstthe'top sheet 01 the stack rearwardly of said roller for freeing therear sheet portion from the underlying sheet 01' the stack while theroller is operative.

17. In a continuously operating duplicator, a feed table. for holding asupply stack of sheets 75 forjsuccessive delivery to the duplicator fromthe 13. In a continuously operable duplicator havtop of the stack, meansoperative to engage the top sheet oi the stack adjacent its forwardedgeto advance the same-in its plane to the dupli- 1 cater for itsprinting, a member mounted at one side of the table and presenting asharp upright edge against a side of the stack, and a weight memberslidably mounted at the other side or the table'and opposite said firstmember and-presenting an edge obliquely against the top sheets of thestack, said members being coactive to sheet a lateral shift and apartial raising oi the top sheet adjacent the first member i'orreleasing the sheet for its advancement.

18. In combination with a continuously operable duplicator; a tray forreceiving printed sheets from the duplicator in horizontal dispositionand from one end thereof; and a stop unit mounted in the tray bottom andcomprising a base portion for longitudinaladjustment along the traybottom, a stop arm portion hinged to said base portion and arranged foroptional disposal in erect position as a stop means for printed sheetsdelivered to the tray, and a spring coactive between the base and stoparm portions of the unit for yieldingly retaining the latter portion ineither of its set positions and operative to raise the advance end ofprinted sheets in the tray for their ready grasping when the stop armportion of the unit is in prone position.

19. In a. continuously operating duplicator or the like, a feed tableproviding a guideway for holding astack of sheets for successivedelivery top sheet thereat for releasing the sheet for its advancement.

20. In a sheet-printing apparatus having a rotary printing cylinder andan impression roller for cooperative disposal with respect to thecylinder, a rockable frame carrying said roller, feeding mechanism foradvancing a sheet for its printing engagement between the cylinder andthe roller, means operative to deliver a sheet to saidi'eedingmechanism, an actuator member arranged for reciprocation betweenlimiting positions thereof, means normally operative to retain saidmember in a said limiting position thereof, means automaticallyoperative to temporarily displace the member to its other limitingposition during each rotary printing movement of the cylinder, meanswhereby the displacement movement of the member is arranged to actuatesaid sheet delivery means, and means whereby the return movement 01'said member is arranged to actuate said feed mechanism to position asheet for engagement between the cylinder and the roller and tothereafter rock said frame to operatively dispose the roller.

21. In a continuously operable sheet printing apparatus having anelevator feed table for movement between limiting lowered and raisedpositions thereof, a sheet-feeding roller arranged for operation at apredetermined level to engage and primarily advance for printing the topsheet of a stack of sheets on the table, means automatically operativeto temporarily displace said roller to an inoperative position thereofduring in accordance with the disposition of the feed table to preventthe automatic raisin; of the feed table above the predetermined levelwhich is below its limiting raised position.

FERDINAND NIGRA.

